Canton DM 60 2.1 Virtual Surround System - Black

Product Information

Part of this is down to its superb bass, and it’s seriously good Bluetooth streaming capabilities. The codec, which is the software program that translates the 1s and 0s, really does a good job of making sure that wireless streaming (which can sometimes be a little iffy) sounds solid. While the DHT-T110 is far from the best soundbase available—it can’t sniff the Sonos Playbase for overall sound quality—its musical chops make it a solid choice. We've also spotted it at far lower prices than the one indicated, so be sure to shop around! Connection-wise it does all the basics plus a few more with Optical and Coax digital input as well as an analog 2 phono input. It has Bluetooth so you can get your music flowing, but also has a subwoofer output in case you really want to crank that bass up to 11.

Bluetooth aptX allows for connecting up your smartphone to stream music or podcasts straight from your favourite app. Just tap your NFC-enabled smartphone to the speaker and enjoy instant pairing. What we mean by that is that cupboards or shelves can often introduce unwanted sympathetic vibrations - think sound that is ‘boomy’ or muffled. Careful positioning is especially important for soundbases featuring subs (which are mostly down-firing). The legs of your TV, and their spacing and weight, might also require creative workarounds in regards to positioning. Either way, you shouldn’t find this too challenging! It will adjust the equalisers automatically with every scene in your film, boxset show or music channel so you always hear it just how it was designed to be heard. Standard, Stadium, Music, Cinema, News and Stereo give dramas, football matches, radio channels and festival coverage the perfect treatment. HDMI connections are surprisingly rare in the world of soundbases, and HDMI ARC is almost nonexistent. Fortunately, the Q Acoustics M2 not only offers it, but is relatively affordable for most people. The HDMI performs well, and allows you to send sound from your TV to the M2 itself, which is useful if you have a smart TV that allows direct streaming. And the M2 is a solid base in its own right. The 2.1 speaker setup is virtually a blueprint for most soundbases currently on the market, but the Q Acoustics M2 have managed to stand out from the crowd with the inclusion of their BMR (Balanced Mode Radiator) technology, capable of nearly 180 degree of dispersion.Sorry for all the questions but I need to clarify all this as I'm really confused as to why Canton advertise Dolby Digital and DTS in the specifications:

Oak is obviously a more solid material than glass, but it is still susceptible to vibration and is not as dense as granite. Again, I would recommend that you try isolating the unit from its surroundings in some way, maybe you could try some Sorbothane feet under the unit if nothing is on top of it? If anything, the DM100’s bass reproduction is too powerful. During Looper’s louder moments I found it a tad overpowering, boomy even, but after trimming the bass level to around -2 or -3 it sounded far more cohesive. One of the things that traditional home theater systems can do that sound bases definitely cannot is surround sound. Try as you might, and no matter how amazing the drivers are in your new base, they are not going to be able to convince you that things are happening above and around you, as it would be with 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound. Then again: that’s not really their purpose. A sound base is there to offer a step up from a traditional soundbar: a convenient, one box solution that will often offer stellar sound. And while it doesn’t have as many speaker options in its arsenal, in terms of spacing, the quality of the drivers and the algorithms behind them can often do a passing imitation of what surround sound might be like, even if it’s nothing like the real thing. In regards to control you can use the supplied remote to control things such as Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble and whichever input you want to be on, but it also has the ability for learning remote – meaning if you have an existing TV remote you can program it to control the DM60 in a few minutes. There are metal feet underneath that not only add to the DM55’s air of class, but also add enough of a gap to allow the two downward-firing woofers underneath the base to work properly.You can twiddle with bass and treble levels, but we felt no need to upset the Canton’s naturally well-behaved balance. The two sound modes are worth a play, though. Stereo mode keeps everything in sharp focus, with a close-knit presentation.

When Kitai dives into the waterfall to avoid becoming eagle prey, the sound of falling water is crisp and enveloping, with plenty of fine detail to give it depth and texture rather than being one mass of sound. But for soundbases build quality is more important than looks, and on that score the DM75 is a winner. Its high-density fibreboard bodywork is remarkably sturdy, allowing it to support TVs up to 40kg in weight. The DM50 was designed for TVs up to 40in, but the DM75 is suited to anything larger – provided it’s lighter than 40kg and its stand fits within the DM75’s top surface. Our 55-inch Samsung set sat snugly on top, even with its unusual four-pronged stand.Your current TV remote will control it for less clutter, and if you use the HDMI or optical inputs, there is special lip sync technology which will keep everything in good time. As I mention in my review, there are various EQ parameters to try to account for different mounting arrangements, but none account for placing the unit above the screen and firing the sound "downwards", if you see what I mean.